Lionel Messi is on course to finally claim his sixth Ballon d'Or
The Argentina's performance against Liverpool strengthened his chances of winning the award with Salah and Mane both likely to miss out now
No one is keeping up with Lionel Messi. The Argentine star signed off another masterclass last night against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. And as he edges Barça towards a European trophy, it should also see Messi claim his sixth Ballon d'Or.
With 12 goals to his name, Messi is the top scorer in this season's Champions League. With Mbappe suspended for PSG after a horror challenge in the French Cup final, he's set to claim the Golden Shoe award as well.
With the second legs to go between Ajax and Tottenham and Liverpool vs Barça, it feels like the English team's options have been greatly reduced. Even if Liverpool win the Premier League, Mane and Salah will be out of the running if they don't overturn the 3-0 scoreline at Anfield next week. It'll be tough to match Messi's achievements.
Messi is expected to once again become the player with the most Ballon d'Ors. Right now, he shares that honour with Cristiano Ronaldo on five apiece but a sixth would end the Portuguese man's recent record. Only a collapse in Anfield could harm Messi's chances. It feels somewhat ridiculous that he finished fifth in last year's rankings.
There are two names who will hope to stop Leo from picking up the Ballon d'Or and both currently play for Ajax. Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong are looking to win a treble of their own and if they did that, both would have genuine cases to make for lifting the individual honour.
